Image data compression employing embedded compression and decompression codes

摘要

An image data compression technique is provided for compressing an image data stream by selection of one or more compression algorithms from a set of candidate algorithms. Key code representative of the selected algorithm or algorithms is inserted into the compressed data stream to facilitate decompression in accordance with the selected algorithm or algorithms. The image data stream may be broken into a plurality of subregions, and compression algorithms selected for optimal compression of each subregion. Key code identifying the algorithm selected for each subregion is embedded in the compressed data stream to facilitate decompression.